It was already dark when Hildegard reached the edge of the gloomy forest so she decided to set up camp for the night. She was on the fringe of the forest that separated her own kingdom with her neighbour’s. From here it would take another half a day by horse to reach the city and castle.

She tied up her horse, started a fire and ate bread she had left over from her journey here so far. It didn’t seem to her worth the time and effort, nor worth testing her luck trying to catch a rabbit at this hour, on the edge of the forest.

By the time she finished eating the stars had started appearing one by one in the cloudless skies, she though to herself how beautiful and serene it felt.

She heard a ruffling of leaves some distance away and immediately climbed up a tree as quickly as she could. She then readied a dagger from her side and waited silently. Only a few moments two heavily armoured men walked into the perimeter of the fire she had started. They looked at the fire, before the taller slimmer of the two armoured men pointed to her horse. The shorter plumper man walked over to the horse.

Hildegard suspected the men were thieves and waited for them to show the classic signs of thievery to make her move.

The chubbier man who had reached the horse was looking through the bag on the ground next to the horse, while the slimmer one stood directly below Hildegard. In one swift movement she lowered herself behind the man and put the knife to his throat.

“Who are you and what are you looking for,” She shouted, “I have no valuables for you to steal.”

The chubbier man swung up in panic, shocked to see his coworker taken hostage by knife and protested.

“We are not thieves. We are guardsmen of Solace, sworn to prince Fried himself! Any further action against us is a crime against the kingdom!”

A moment of deafening silence fell over the woods.

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The three of them were now at an uncomfortable impasse. A voice from the shadows behind Hildegard broke the silence.

“Men! Take it easy! And M’lady, if you would be so kind as to release my man.”

From the shadows appeared a beautiful tall blonde woman in sturdy looking armour. She bowed as she came up to Hildegard and everyone relaxed somewhat.

“Men, salute the lady!”

They looked somewhat confused and no one moved.

“We are in the presence of her Majesty Hildegard, warrior princess of Lunesse.”

With audible irritation Hildegard withdrew her knife and let the man go. Quickly both men made their way over to the woman who was clearly in charge.

“Our sincerest apologies, princess,” She said as they all bowed once more, “ I am Svetlana, Captain of our Prince’s private guard. These are Boris and Rickard, they are my personal hands in most matters, I trust them with my life.”

Rickard, the taller and slimmer one remained stalwart, while Boris, the shorter chubbier one cracked a smile at the compliment.

“We were not aware you would be journeying to visit us,” Svetlana continued, no longer bowing, “Had we known we could have made arrangements.”

“Do not concern yourself with these matters, Captain,” Hildegard responded quickly, “In these times one cannot trust anyone with one’s own safety. As our kingdoms are technically still at war right now, I found it more prudent to make the journey away from prying eyes.”

Svetlana was well aware of the tensions surrounding the two kingdoms, though no one seemed to really remember why they were at war to begin with. Yet, she felt she needed to assure the princess no harm would befall her.

“The time is not yet upon us, isn’t that correct? Svetlana inquired.

“You are correct, captain, it wont be for another two moons.” Hildegard replied.

“Then why,” Svetlana continued, “If I may be so bold as to ask, would you be making this journey now m’lady?”

Svetlana was afraid to admit it to the princess outright, but she felt this to be a trap. Surely the princess, of all people, would know and understand the fragility of the political situation between their kingdoms. She saw no reason why the princess would endanger not just herself but also the future peace of both kingdoms without some sort of ulterior motive.

“This is a matter I must discuss with your prince,” Hildegard protested after a long deliberation with herself, “No one else.”

Svetlana was at a loss of retort, so suggested they should guide the princess to her destination in the morning, which Hildegard declined many times in vain; she would have to agree to be escorted.

The rest of the night passed in silence and no one really slept.